Most people when they think of Panama they think of the Panama Canal. Many have seen documentaries on the building of the Panama Canal and how it works, however few get to transit the canal and move up and down the canal lock system. The Canal is soon to be over 100 years old and is of course is a popular mark on the face of the planet and the best way to experience it is on it.

Panama Canal Transits - Panama Private Yacht Tour

The Panama Canal Transit is a tour that offers tourists the opportunity to travel through the Canal without the expense of hiring a private yacht. You will travel onboard the Pacific Queen and travel through the canal as any cruise liner or cargo carrying boat would. The tour will give you the same experience as if you were on one of the huge ships that transit the canal and you will use tug boats and the locks. You will move up and down as locks fill and empty and take you from the Pacific Ocean to the Atlantic Ocean. The experience is a once in a lifetime experience and a must for any traveler to Panama.

You have the choice of a partial transit (4 hours) or a full transit (6 hours) and all transits happen every Saturday and the full transit occur once a month. The Partial Transit is sufficient however for the extreme Canal Tourist the Full Transit offers you a total experience of the 50miles. The Partial Transit of the Panama Canal starts at the dredging division in the Gamboa area (halfway up the canal). This area is located where the fresh water of the Chagres Rivers enters the canal and keeps it 100% fresh water. The area is also know as the The Gaillard Cut or the Culebra Cut because its curves resemble a snake. This area is of vital importance and a main point of interest for anyone transiting the canal as it is full of history and geographical importance. You will transit south (or west due to the lie of Panama) 8 miles along the canal through the cut to the San Miguel Locks. On the way you may see the continuous dredging of the Canal bed that occurs as this area is very susceptible to landslides.

Just before you reach the San Miguel Locks you will go under the newly finished Centennial Bridge, which actually joins North and South America together. After passing under this you will enter the San Miguel Locks and as the lock closes behind you, you will drop 9 meters as you are lowered the the water levels of the next section. The San Miguel Locks is one of 2 locks on the Pacific side of the canal and one of 4 in total. As you depart the San Miguel locks you will enter the Miraflores section of the canal. This section is man made and separates the San Miguel Lock from the next lock you will enter, the Miraflores Lock. Here you will drop 18 meters and back to the Sea level of the Pacific Ocean.

Once you have entered the Ocean you will work your way around to the Panama City Bay where you will be able to see the Metropolitan Skyline of Panama City, Casco Viejo and other parts of Panama. You will disembark at the Flamenco Pier on the Causeway and be transported to wherever it is you need to go.

The tour is a truly unique tour that every visitor to Panama must experience and see.

Tour includes:
Bilingual guide/narrator
Lunch is served on the boat and includes various Panamanian dishes
Soft drinks and water
Transportation

Enquire about a Panama Canal Transit!!